Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling nor do I own Harry Potter. See the first ten chapters.

A/N: Due to popular demand, I decided to forego another day of studying to bring you this update. By the tone of your reviews, I was afraid that you would all come to my house in a big mob and hurt me if I didn't update fast enough. =) I loved all your reviews by the way. I wanted to reply to each of them but I thought you'd rather I spend that time updating. When life slows down I will go back to replying to reviews. I really do appreciate them though. Thanks so much for the support. I hope you like this chapter.


Last time:

Harry wrenched his arm away from her grasp. "Explain what Hermione?!" He yelled when he turned to face her. "Explain how you've been lying to me this whole time? Explain how you've been seeing Malfoy behind my back? Explain how you used Cedric as an excuse to shag a DeathEater? Explain what?"

"Please, just – "

"Why should I listen to a word you say? Everything that comes out of your mouth is a lie. How can I trust you? Merlin, Hermione, I can't even look at you right now!" Harry breathed heavily, his eyes crackling with fury and betrayal. The next moment his demeanour turned cold. "You know what? I'm done." With that he turned around and walked away.

Stunned and broken, Hermione crumpled to the floor as her whole life crashed before her once more.

Chapter 28

To say Draco hated himself would be an understatement. If he had a choice between going through this or medieval torture, he would gladly choose torture. He knew that he would have to hurt Hermione in order to save her but he wasn't prepared for how much anguish it would cause her. He would rather die a thousand deaths than cause her that much pain. But it wasn't just his life on the line. The only thing that kept him going was the thought that no matter what, Potter would be with her. But even that, he managed to screw up. Because of him, Hermione lost her best friend. He honestly thought that Potter somehow knew about him and Hermione and that's why he punched him. Later, he realized that Potter thought Draco was causing Genevieve to cheat on Weasley. Draco would have gladly let Potter beat him to a pulp if only to atone for Hermione's suffering but he had to keep up appearances for Genevieve.

Genevieve. The slut was a piece of work. He knew she wasn't that attached to Weasley but she could've at least shown some decency and class. No, one look from him and she was all over him like potions on Longbottom. Hermione was so far above her, they weren't even in the same galaxy, much less the same league. But it was the only way he could think of that would hurt Hermione enough to leave him. He just hoped it was worth it.

oOoOoOoOoOo

Genevieve was on cloud nine as she walked towards Gryffindor Tower. Things had turned out better than she'd hoped. She was getting tired of Ron Weasley. After getting a place in Gryffindor's, and Hogwarts', elite, he lost his use. Draco's attentions couldn't have come at a better time. Despite the dark stigma, the Malfoy name hadn't lost its prestige. Now that she had conquered Hogwarts, she had to start looking at the bigger picture – the world outside of school – and Draco Malfoy was the right guy for the job. And now to add Hermione to the bargain! Genevieve sneered. Ever since finding out that Hermione had received the internship instead of her, Genevieve had been looking for a way to get back at the mudblood bitch. Finding out that she had stolen Hermione's boyfriend from her (twice!), was the icing on the cake. She scoffed. She couldn't believe Hermione was stupid enough to think that Draco was into her. As if he could ever be interested in mudblood scum like her! Genevieve knew that there must've been a good reason for Draco to even sully himself with someone that low. He must've done it to increase his influence with Dumbledore and the school. He was going to be Head Boy, after all.

Genevieve's musings were cut short when she was suddenly pulled into a corner.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" She demanded when she found herself face to face with Ron.

"I should ask you the same question!" he retorted hotly. "Harry just told me that he saw you snogging Malfoy!" Ron waited for her to deny it. When she didn't, his tone became defeated. "So, it's true then."

"Of course Ronald," Genevieve scoffed. "You didn't honestly believe that you, a Weasley, were good enough for me, did you?"

"You bitch," Ron said, his temper returning. "I'm going to tell everyone what you did. How you lied to everyone and seduced me while I was still going out with Hermione. I'm going to tell everyone just how much of a cheating slut you really are."

"Seduced you?" Genevieve asked incredulously. "Someone must've obliviated you because as I remember, you were practically drooling the first time I talked to you. And you won't tell anyone anything. You will tell everyone that we broke up before I started seeing Draco because you wouldn't want everyone to know that I chose Draco over you. That you were just a placeholder until something better came along. You wouldn't want everyone to know that once again, Weasley came second to Malfoy." Genevieve paused. "Don't give me that look. You're not so innocent in all this. You used me to try to get out of Harry's shadow. You only became friends with him in the first place because of his scar. But you know what? You'll never get out of Harry's shadow. You're just not cut out for glory. You'll always be the sidekick. If I were you, I'd do everything to keep my pride, Ron. It's all you have left."

oOoOoOoOoOo

Once again, Hermione found herself cold and alone in Hogwarts grounds. She didn't know how she managed to pull herself out of that hallway but here she was, gazing unseeingly at the expanse of the lake.

She thought she'd be more upset than this. Angrier than this, more emotional than this, more...something. Anything. But she was numb. She didn't feel anything. She felt empty. Did she even have a heart to feel anything anymore? Probably not. Draco had taken what was left of her heart and ripped it to shreds. She had given him all of her, everything she had. Did he help her become whole again only to have more to destroy? Hermione refused to believe that. She refused to believe that once again she was that stupid. She refused to believe that the past few months with him were a lie. That his touch, his eyes, his kiss were all a lie. Devastated. There. A feeling. Hermione was completely and utterly devastated. There was no other word to describe it. She lost everything. She lost Draco. She lost Harry.

Harry. Pain so intense shot through Hermione that she doubled over and heaved a huge breath. When she thought she lost him once before, she tried to kill herself, thinking that nothing else was left for her. And that was when losing him was not confirmed. Back then, there was a tiny hope that she was being stupid, that Harry never forgot about her after all. When he told her that he never stopped caring for her, the joy that went through her was indescribable. But now, she truly lost him and there was no uncertainty about it. His eyes... the look in his eyes! The hate and the hurt – oh Merlin, what had she done?! She lost the only person that was there for her from the beginning, the only person who mattered. And for what? A pompous, lying bastard with fickle emotions?

No, Draco wasn't that shallow. Despite it all, she knew him. No matter how hard he tried to hide it, she saw a flicker of self-hate break through the cold wall he put in his eyes. Nothing was ever that simple. He truly wanted to end things between them. He wanted her to hate him. But why?

Normally Hermione would have fought for him. Whatever reason he had for wanting a break-up, they can deal with it – together. But this...this crossed the line. He always did know how to push her buttons, how to hurt her the most. Well, mission accomplished. She could've handled anything but this. Genevieve – he knew how much she hurt her. He knew how insecure she was about Genevieve. He knew how much she hated the other girl. To use Genevieve to achieve whatever end he's trying to accomplish... he must've really wanted to hurt her. Could he really hate her after all? Was she really just a mudblood to him? Maybe this was an elaborate game to him, a prank to amuse himself. Build her up so he could tear her down. The ultimate way to prove his superiority, to bring down the mudblood who dared defy him. He and the rest of the Slytherins were probably having a good laugh about it now. How a mudblood thought that she could mean something to Draco Malfoy. Would he tell them everything? Would they laugh about Cedric, her desperation, her dreams? No, he wouldn't do that – would he?

Frustration. There it was, another feeling. She didn't know what to think anymore. Sophie, his mother, the Dark Mark...they can't all have been a lie. Draco was smart enough not to risk everything for some stupid game. She tried to hold onto that belief, otherwise she'd find herself at the top of the Astronomy Tower again.

No, she had her pride. It was all she had left. She would not let Genevieve see her defeated. If Draco wanted her to hate him, so be it. She would not only hate him, she would forget him. She would focus on the one thing that was important – Harry. No more secrets. She'll start with Ginny. She would tell Ginny everything and hope that her friend would help her gain Harry's trust back. She just hoped Ginny wasn't feeling particularly vindictive today.

oOoOoOoOoOo

With a heavy heart, Hermione walked back to the Gryffindor common room. It was so late that the room was empty save for two figures by the fire. One of the figures turned upon hearing Hermione enter through the portrait.

"Ginny, I – "

Ginny shook her head. "I can't talk to you right now," she said, looking sadly at Hermione.

Hermione felt tears start to burn in the back of her eyes. Not wanting Ginny to see her breakdown, Hermione ran out of the tower. Eventually her lungs started to protest and she stopped in the middle of an empty hallway. This was it. Ginny didn't want to talk to her either. She lost the only way she had of getting through to Harry. Harry didn't even break his gaze from the fire to look at her. She truly had lost them. Hermione collapsed onto the floor and her emotions caught up with her as she let heaving sobs break through her body.

"Hermione?"

Hermione didn't know how long she had been in that hallway before she heard a voice address her. She looked up through tear-blurred eyes to find red.

"Oh Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed as she bent her face into her hands. "I'm sorry. I'm so, so, sorry. I – "

"Shhh," Ginny soothed, kneeling down to gather her friend into her arms. "It's alright. I'm here. It's going to be alright."

What a sight they made. Two teenaged girls huddled in the middle of a deserted corridor. One trying to calm the other. Both obviously distressed.

"I don't know what to do," Hermione choked out between sobs, talking faster and faster. "He hates me, I know he does. And I didn't mean for this to happen, I – "

"Harry doesn't hate you," Ginny started. "He – " She paused. "Well, he didn't really tell me much. How about we find a better place to talk and you can tell me everything."

Hermione could tell that Ginny was trying to protect her from further details but she didn't press her. The two girls quietly made their way to the kitchens.

"Okay, tell me what happened," Ginny said once they received some hot chocolate.

Hermione went on to tell her everything. From the fateful night in the Astronomy tower, to her relationship with Draco, to the internship, and eventually, the fallout of today, Hermione told her as much as she could without revealing details about Sophie and Narcissa. By the end of it all, Ginny's heart ached for her friend who had gone through so much and had to carry it all alone.

"I didn't mean to hurt Harry," Hermione finished quietly.

"I know," Ginny replied. "You have to understand though how big of a shock it was for him. For both of us. Especially with everything that's happened between you this year."

"I know Gin, and I'm sorry."

"Don't worry," Ginny said. "Give him time to cool off and think about things. Harry will come around. He loves you Hermione, don't ever doubt that."

"I don't deserve it," Hermione replied.

"Nonsense," Ginny protested, giving Hermione a hug. "He needs you as much as you need him. Everything will be alright. You'll see. And I'll always be here."

"Thanks Gin," Hermione said with a small smile.

"As for the Wonderbitch, when I get my hands on her..."

oOoOoOoOoOo

Over the next few days Draco tried hard to look at Hermione with nothing but disdain. Thankfully, it seemed like she was doing her best to avoid him, which was just as well. It hurt every time he looked at her. It was sheer agony having her so close and knowing he can never hold her again. He felt sick every time he had to kiss Genevieve but he had to keep up appearances. He tried not to do it in front of Hermione. The hurt that flashed into her eyes the first time it happened after that night caught Draco so off guard that he almost gasped at the intensity of the sorrow he felt. He didn't want to cause her any more pain than he had to. Unfortunately, Genevieve had other plans. She seemed to try and make a point by kissing him every time Hermione was in the vicinity.

At least he played his part well. He was so worried about Hermione, it's a wonder that no one had run to Voldemort reporting his treachery. Draco wasn't sure how much longer he could keep up the facade. The thought of protecting Hermione was the only thing that kept him going. He hated that it had to be this way. He didn't miss the way Potter clearly refused to talk to his best friend. He could see how much it affected Hermione. He worried about her endlessly and thought of her day and night. Every night, he circled the skies around the Astronomy Tower just in case she decided to jump again. There were times when he almost wished that she would, if only to give him an excuse to hold her again while catching her. But she never showed. Every morning, he sagged with relief when he saw her show up to class, glad that she hadn't done anything drastic. Between Hermione, Sophie, school, and his task, Draco's energy was quickly being drained. He hoped Potter would hurry up and kill the bastard soon.

oOoOoOoOoOo

Genevieve was not a happy camper. Despite Ron's insistence that they were over before she started seeing Draco, Genevieve was now a Gryffindor outcast. She knew that most of them really couldn't care less about the drama but when Harry Potter hated someone, everyone hated them too – in this case, that someone happened to be her. Harry wasn't too keen on Hermione either, they weren't even speaking, but she had Ginny on her side so the rest of the Gryffindors weren't too hard on her. Genevieve shook her head at the stupidity and sheep-like mentality of her classmates. They'd follow their leaders over the edge of a cliff without so much as a thought. In any event, she hated losing control. She needed to gain it back and she was going to start with Hermione Granger. The mudblood bitch proved to be more annoying than she thought. She still needed to get back at her for getting the internship. Taking Draco and Harry away from her was one thing, but it wasn't enough. She needed to deliver a final blow that would leave Granger on her knees.

oOoOoOoOoOo

Sophie was upset. She hadn't seen Hermione in a long time. Every time she asked Draco about her, he just shut her down and changed the subject. Sometimes, he would even get mad at her if she persisted. Sophie may be five but she was observant and she knew her brother. She knew that her brother was sad and upset and it made her sad too. She knew that Hermione was the only person who could fix him. Where was she? Did she not like them anymore? Sophie always got what she wanted and right now she wanted Hermione. If Hermione wasn't going to come, Sophie was going to find her.

oOoOoOoOoOo

"Excuse me."

Genevieve was walking back from class when she heard a small voice call out. She turned around and was surprised to find a little girl of about five, with curly, blonde hair and what looked like a mini-Hogwarts uniform on. The little girl boldly went up to her.

"Excuse me," the girl began when she had Genevieve's attention. "Do you know where Hermione is?''

Genevieve looked at the girl incredulously. She couldn't believe the mudblood had the gall to let little children into the school. And to dress them up as well! She wouldn't be surprised if this girl was Hermione's cousin or something, another mudblood Hermione was hoping to turn into a witch. Genevieve scoffed. If Hermione had her way, this place would be crawling with mudbloods and purebloods would be outnumbered! Well, not on her watch. This could be a good way to get back at Hermione and put her in her place.

"What do you think you're doing?" Genevieve asked the little girl impetuously. "You don't belong here. Now, let's go." Genevieve grabbed the girl's arm and pulled her outside toward the gate.

"Ow, you're hurting me! Let go!"

They reached the school gates. Genevieve opened them with her wand and pushed the girl out. "Now run along. Go back to where you came from and don't ever return!" Genevieve slammed the gate shut before walking back towards the castle leaving the girl alone.

Sophie didn't know what to do. She tried to open the gate but it wouldn't budge. She started to panic. Where was Hermione? Where was her brother? Hoping to find someone to help her, Sophie started walking.